Related BBC sites

Stranraer0 - 2Motherwell

Motherwell maintained their hopes of silverware this season with a Scottish Cup fifth-round win at Stranraer.

Having lost last week's League Cup semi-final, Well were keen to avoid another tournament exit and went ahead when Steve Jones scrambled home.

That goal came at the end of a first half in which Stranraer's Craig Malcolm twice came close to scoring.

Chris Humphrey crossed for John Sutton to fire Motherwell's clinching goal eight minutes from the end.

Motherwell failed to hit the heights of their recent displays against Rangers and Kilmarnock, but they lost both those encounters and manager Stuart McCall would have welcomed the scrappy win.

The victory came at a cost, though, with Keith Lasley and Steven Saunders both suffering injuries and Steve Jennings picking up a suspension.

McCall had recalled Tom Hateley and Sutton, while on-loan Blackburn defender Gavin Gunning was handed a first start in place of the injured Stevie Hammell.

David Mitchell comfortably held two Hateley free-kicks as Motherwell sought an early breakthrough and soon saved a Jones effort after good link-up play between the forward and partner Sutton.

Stranraer came into the game midway through the half and Steven Noble shot over from 20 yards after good skill, before Danny Mitchell blazed over after being afforded space on the edge of the box.

Gunning was booked for dissent, while his fellow defender, Shaun Hutchinson, was cautioned for a crunching challenge and Stranraer forced another chance that Craig Malcolm volleyed just wide.

Jamie Murphy came on in the 31st minute for Lasley, who failed to shake off an early rib knock, and immediately injected some much-needed ingenuity into Motherwell's play, setting up Saunders to shoot just over from long range.

Motherwell maintained the pressure, but Sutton and Murphy could not make the most of Hateley set-pieces and Chris Humphrey could not quite turn a Jones cross into a team-mate's path.

However, Jones stabbed the ball just over the line after Saunders' cross fell for him at the back post.

Stranraer right-back Grant Gallagher cleared and referee Charlie Richmond initially played on before assistant Tommy Johnston signalled for a goal.

The home side pushed forward at the start of the second half, but Stephen Craigan blocked well from Kevin Nicoll and Motherwell proceeded to keep their Third Division opponents at arm's length without looking entirely convincing.

Jones ended a series of impressive runs with poor finishes and Murphy had a half chance when he ran on to Saunders' clearance, but Mitchell blocked the striker's shot from a tight angle.

Jennings received a second booking of the competition for a mistimed tackle, which will see him suspended for the quarter-final.

Hateley came reasonably close with two free-kicks and his interception and through-ball set up Sutton, but the striker took too long to shoot.

Saunders pulled up injured before being replaced with Jonathan Page, who soon had a hand in Motherwell's second in the 83rd minute.

Page fed Humphrey, whose low cross was forced home at the near post by Sutton, and the striker and Gunning both missed late chances to give the scoreline a flattering sheen.

Live text and stats

Saturday, 5 February 2011

Scottish Cup

Home Team

Score

Away Team

Time

Stranraer

0-2

Motherwell

FT

(HT 0-1)

Jones 45+1

Sutton 82

Stranraer

01 Mitchell

02 Gallagher

03 Kurakins

04 Murphy

05 Gallagher

06 Agnew yellow card

08 Mitchell yellow card

10 Nicoll (McColm 73)

11 Noble

07 One (Angus Cochrane 85)

09 Malcolm

Substitutes

19 Marshall,

15 Mitchell,

16 Angus Cochrane,

14 Sharp,

12 McColm

Motherwell

01 Randolph

02 Saunders (Page 80)

05 Craigan

19 Hutchinson yellow card

22 Gunning yellow card

06 Hateley

07 Humphrey

08 Jennings yellow card

14 Lasley (Murphy 31)

17 Jones

11 Sutton (Casagolda 87)

Substitutes

12 Hollis,

20 Page,

09 Murphy,

18 Forbes,

23 Casagolda

Ref: RichmondAtt: 2,042

STRANRAER

MOTHERWELL

Possession

Stranraer43%

Motherwell57%

Attempts on target

Stranraer1

Motherwell5

Attempts off target

Stranraer7

Motherwell11

Corners

Stranraer4

Motherwell7

Fouls

Stranraer12

Motherwell10

Final Result

92:03 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

Full Time

87:38 Jonathan Page gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Noble. Paul Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

86:59 Substitution Esteban Casagolda is brought on as a substitute for John Sutton.

86:19 Corner taken by Chris Humphrey.

86:04 A cross is delivered by Chris Humphrey, John Sutton takes a shot. Save by David Mitchell.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.